Discovering Greece
Mention the country of Greece, and your mind is immediately filled with images of gods, deities and ancient ruins dating back during the ancient times. Known as the seat of the earliest civilization in
Europe , Greece is a country that prides itself for its picturesque landscapes, mystifying ruins and rich cultural heritage. It is located at the tip of the Balkan Peninsula southeast of the European continent. Greece is bordered by the countries of
Albania,
Macedonia,
Bulgaria and
Turkey, as well as the Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea. Because of its location, Greece is home to a temperate climate with hot and dry summer months and mild, wet winters.
Today, Greece is a highly developed country and a part of the European Union since 1981. It continues to be regarded as a crossroad where ancient philosophical ideologies are met with modern thoughts and ideas. It is no wonder then that Greece remains to be a country with a highly educated population.
Travelers visiting Greece would more often than not begin their travels in the city of
Athens. Apart from this being the capital city of the country, Athens has long been considered as the most beautiful of all the cities in Greece. Named in honor of the goddess Athena, the city of Athens is the hub of many important monuments so much so that many of the landmarks of the country are found here. It is home some of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Perhaps the most visited of these monuments is the
Acropolis which towers over the entire city. Once serving as a shrine and temple for the goddess Athena, the Acropolis has now been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby is the Spartathlon Olympics Stadium which serves as the starting point of the annual marathon run which ends in the nearby city of Sparta. Other prime tourist attractions in Athens include the Belvedere Palace, House of Arrhephoroi, Monument of Agrippa, the sacred caves, the Old Temple of Athena and the Erechtheion. A short bus ride outside the city of Athens is the majestic Temple of Zeus. Despite the fact that the towering statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is no longer present, a trip to the temple would still leave tourists captivated and in awe.
But there is more to do in Greece than just immerse in its rich cultural heritage and
ancient history. The Greek islands are a top tourist destination, especially during the summer months, particularly the islands of Crete, Mykonos and Santorini. The pristine beaches, picturesque landscapes and inviting waters play host to thousands of tourists and locals from the mainland each year. It is a great place to enjoy a number of different water sports and activities such as diving and snorkeling. While you are here, make sure to sample the wine, particularly in the islands of Crete and Santorini. These two islands are known to be home to some of the finest vintage in this side of Europe.
- Athens
- Sparta
- Areopoli
- Kalmata
- Nafplio
- Corinth
- Paltras
- Preveza
- Lamia
- Volos
- Ioannina
- Kavala
- Thessaloniki
- Komotini
- Alexandroupolis
- Mount Olympus
- Mount Parnassus
|
- Crete (Hania, Iraklio)
- Chios
- Lesvos
- Rhodes
- Karpathos
- Kythira
- Kassos
- Northeastern Aegean Islands
- Ionian Islands
- Saronic Gulf Islands
- Cyclades
- Dodecanese Islands
- Gavdos
- Sporades
|